Today, there are thousands of TWS earbuds in the market and companies are scrambling to offer the very best to everyone from casual listeners to audiophiles. Premium Android smartphone maker OnePlus too has carved a niche for itself in the TWS segment over the past few years, and the recently launched OnePlus Buds 2 Pro bears testament to the company’s increasing footprint in the audio space. So far, OnePlus has unveiled six TWS earbuds, and on April 4 it launched its latest addition, the OnePlus Nord Buds 2.
I tried the OnePlus Buds 2 for nearly a week. I connected it to an iPhone 13 Pro, OnePlus Nord 2T, OnePlus Nord CE and a Dell Laptop. During the last week, I tried various genres of music and streaming content to get acquainted with the Nord Buds 2. Here’s a detailed review of the earbuds based on my experience.
Specs sheet: 12.4mm titanium driver | Bluetooth 5.3 | IP55 rating, 94ms latency | OnePlus Fast Pair, Dolby Atmos Support, Dirac Tuner, Sound Master Equaliser | 10 mins charging for five hours of playtime
OnePlus Buds 2: Design and set up
When it comes to looks, there is no significant departure from the previous model. The OnePlus Nord Buds 2 comes in two shades, Lightning White and Thunder Grey, and I got the latter to play with. The earbuds come in a charging case and the Thunder Grey colour shade gives it the facade of a miniature trunk draped in shades inspired by cosmic elements. The lid of the case is dipped in darker hues and snaps open with relative ease. The bottom half of the case has a dark marble-like texture. Plus, the IP55 rating makes the Nord Buds 2 resistant to water splashes, sweat and dust.
When it comes to controls, the Nord Buds 2 has touch controls on the stem. Single tap to play or pause music, double tap for the next track or answer/end calls, and triple tap for the previous track. The great fit of the earbuds offers a firm hold. One can go for a jog or engage in some heavy-duty workouts without any worry. The device comes with small, large and medium ear tips and has the medium fit as default. Both stems are sleek, stylish and make up for comfortable wear.
OnePlus Nord Buds 2, like its predecessors, connects effortlessly with OnePlus smartphones and iPhones as well. Setting it up is fairly simple, pair the device with any smartphone and enjoy the music. Besides, OnePlus’s HeyMelody App is a must for those who would like to customise the device to their preferences. The App lets users view options such as Noise Control, Sound Master EQ, Game Mode, Firmware Update, and Camera-related settings.
OnePlus Nord Buds 2, like its predecessors, connects effortlessly with OnePlus smartphones and iPhones as well. (Bijin Jose / Express Photo)
OnePlus Nord Buds 2: How good is the audio quality?
The defining feature of OnePlus Nord Buds 2 is its distinct audio experience. This time, the company has zeroed in on BassWave algorithm which offers authentic audio along with broad bass. Be it your favourite playlist or a long call, this feature is dynamic and offers a unique audio profile for each use case.
To experience the range of the sound spectrum, the Sound Master EQ option comes with four modes, Balanced (default), Bold (featured), Serenade, and Bass. Most users will however be more likely to enjoy the bass profile. But, the near-flatness of the Balanced (default) profile makes it truly unique.
The Nord Buds 2 comes with a 12.4mm driver unit, which is among the largest on OnePlus TWS earbuds. This in particular is a spectacular facet, as for me I have a varied palette when it comes to music. To engage with the audio output, I tried some Indie artists such as Mon Ravia, Coe Leray, and Thomas LaVine. Tracks such as To Taste the Divine, Players, and Maybe I’ll Never Know – all three diverse ranges of atmospheric songs evoked a feeling that the Nord Buds 2 is meant for ambient lo-fi tracks.
On the other hand, some classic heavy metal tracks from Metallica, especially Enter Sandman, hit the right notes. And, at the extreme end of the spectrum, with Bollywood tracks such as the remixed Tip Tip Barsa Paani from Sooryavanshi or soft melodies such as O Re Piya from Aaja Nachle, the OnePlus Nord Buds 2 stood firmly with its decent bass and treble output. The earbuds also come with Dirac Audio Tuner maximising the sound effect. The video experience is amplified owing to Dolby Atmos Support.
When it comes to controls, the Nord Buds 2 has touch controls on the stem. (Bijn Jose / Express Photo)
Calls & noise cancelling from OnePlus Nord Buds 2
With the phone calls, the OnePlus Nord Buds 2 is not exceptional but it is decent for the price range. This time the brand has introduced Advanced Clear Call backed by an AI algorithm. The company claims that with dual mic systems, the feature amplifies the human voice and blurs outside noise. For me, both regular calls and WhatsApp calls sounded more or less the same.
The OnePlus Nord Buds 2 offers Active Noise Cancellation feature with 25dB depth and a dual-core processor to reduce unwanted background noise.
The OnePlus Nord Buds (2020) came with AI Noise Cancellation audio algorithm drivers. However, the latest iteration is the first to feature ANC, and it’s a remarkable update. In the same range, I have tried a handful of earbuds with ANC, however, the Nord Buds 2 stands its ground. They have outdone earlier OnePlus mid-range TWS earbuds in terms of noise cancellation and rendering crystal-clear audio.
How long can Nord Buds 2 play songs?
Perhaps, the biggest bonus of the Nord Buds 2 is that it comes with exceptional battery life. In a week’s time, I may have charged the buds only twice and it just worked fine for me. The battery life is one of the biggest plus points in my opinion.
The fully charged earbuds last up to nearly five hours without the case. With the case, the earbuds can last up to 27 hours with AAC and ANC. With ANC off, the earbuds last up to five hours with just 10 minutes of charge. Fast charging capabilities come with the case and the two earbuds.
OnePlus Nord Buds 2: Verdict
Overall the experience with earbuds has been pleasant. The device performed well with different ranges of audio, especially with BassWave. The noise cancellation wasn’t exceptional. However, coming at Rs 2,999, the OnePlus Nord Buds 2 is a decent device to cash on. If you are looking for a decent pair of earbuds with lasting battery life, OnePlus Nord Buds 2 is the best bet.
